Antonia "Joya" Marie (Verrastro) Perna

Antonia “Joya” Marie Perna, 77, a lifelong resident of Port Chester, NY passed away unexpectedly on December 8, 2024. She was born February 1, 1947 in Port Chester, NY to the late Salvatore and Florence Bellantoni Verrastro. She was raised and educated in Port Chester, graduating from Port Chester High School in 1965. Joya was married on September 5, 1971 in Port Chester to Frank M. Perna, and they remained together for 44 years until Mr. Perna’s passing on June 23, 2016. 

Joya was a beloved teacher's aide for many years in the Port Chester Public Schools, and she dedicated herself to enriching the lives of scores of Special Education students at Port Chester Middle School and Port Chester High School. She was a parishioner of the Parish of Saint John Bosco (formerly Our Lady of Mercy) in Port Chester. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and faithful friend whose boundless kindness, love, and generosity touched many in her community.

Joya is survived by her children, Frank M. Perna II (wife Toni) of Custer City, OK, Christopher Perna (wife Yvonne) of Cortlandt Manor, NY, Kelly Ann Sheehy (husband Paul) of Amityville, NY, and Jacqueline Patino (husband Luis) of Mount Vernon, NY, as well as her grandchildren Frank, Janea, and Thomas.

She is also survived by her sisters Angela Armstrong of Fairfield, CT,  Katherine Sammons of Cordova, TN, Sally Ann Petrina of Mount Kisco, NY, and sister-in-law Annette Verrastro of Rye Brook, NY. She was predeceased by her brother Dominick Verrastro.

Visitation will be 4PM - 9PM on Thursday December 12, 2024 at Craft Memorial Home, Inc. Funeral Service will be 11AM on Friday December 13, 2024 at the funeral home.  Interment to follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery on North St. in Rye, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Joya may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.

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